Name, initials, car, football team - anything

Pet Number Plates

Pet number plates let you display a registration that references your pet's name, their breed, or an animal-related word or phrase. Some combinations match directly – short names like Rex, Boo or Mia tend to produce clean results – while others work through number substitutions, format changes, or broader terms like DOG, WOOF or K9.

With access to over 72 million registrations across all UK formats, there's plenty of choice whether you're after something specific or still exploring ideas. Browse by animal type below, or search a personalised idea using the search bar.

Our Range of Pet Registrations

Cat

Dog

Fish

Horse

Rat

Ways to Build a Pet Number Plate

Most people start with a specific pet in mind, but there are a few different routes to finding a registration that works. The best approach depends on what you want the plate to say and how the letters and numbers fall within UK formats.

MAX

Pet Names

Starting with your pet's name is the most common approach and often the quickest route to something personal. Shorter names – Bella, Lola, Ted, Pip – sit best, while longer names need abbreviating or splitting across the combination to produce a readable result.

PUG

Breed References

Some breeds translate naturally into plate formats – PUG, BOXER, COB and DANE all work as short letter groupings without needing much creative handling. Others take more work, but number substitutions or alternative spellings can bridge the gap between what you want and what's available.

TREATS

Animal Words and Phrases

Not every pet plate needs to point to a specific animal – broader terms like FETCH, TREATS or FLUFF work well for pet lovers who want something playful, and they're equally popular with groomers, vets, breeders and pet businesses looking for a plate that fits what they do.

CO11 IE

Numbers That Help

Numbers can stand in for letters that look similar – 4 for A, 3 for E, 1 for I, 5 for S – which expands what's possible when a direct letter match isn't available. A breed like COLLIE might not exist as a straight combination, but CO11 IE would read the same.

Pet Number Plate Formats

Pet number plates appear across all UK registration formats, and each one affects how the name, breed or word sits within the combination. Trying a few different formats is often the quickest way to find something that reads well and fits your budget.

MAX 1

Dateless Number Plates

The strongest option for short pet names and breed words. No age identifier, fewer characters, and a clean premium look. They can go on any vehicle regardless of age, though shorter combinations tend to carry higher prices.

Dateless Plates
P14 DOG

Prefix Registrations

The year letter sits at the start, followed by numbers and three letters – suiting pet words that read naturally at the end of the plate, like P14 DOG or M17 CAT. Generally more accessible than dateless options.

Prefix Plates
DOG 790T

Suffix Registrations

Three letters at the front, then numbers and a year letter. If your pet's name or an animal word works as an opening group – CAT, PUG, REX – this format puts it front and centre.

Suffix Plates
PIG 1234

Northern Irish Registrations

No age identifier, so they go on any vehicle, and typically a more affordable option than equivalent GB formats. The inclusion of I and Z also opens up letter combinations that aren't possible in standard registrations.

Irish Plates
WO21 DOG

Millenium Registrations

The format used since 2001. Longer reads are possible here, with combinations like WO21 DOG spelling out phrases across the full plate. Wider availability and lower starting prices make this a good option on a budget.

Current Style Plates

Why Choose National Numbers

National Numbers has been a DVLA-recognised dealer since 1981 and is a member of every UK number plate trade body. Here's what that means when you're buying a plate from us.

  • Established in 1981: Over 40 years of buying and selling private plates means we understand how combinations are valued, what's likely to be available, and how to find alternatives when your first choice isn't.

  • Access to 72m+ registrations: One of the UK's largest databases, covering pet names, breeds and animal-themed combinations across every format. If it's out there, it'll show up in a search.

  • DVLA-recognised supplier: We're listed on the DVLA website as an approved provider, and every transfer we process follows current DVLA regulations. That means less risk of delays and no guesswork on paperwork.

  • 0% finance available: Spread the cost over 12 or 24 months through our finance partner. It's available on many of the plates listed here, so budget doesn't have to be the reason you settle for a second choice.

  • Support with transfers and assignment: Our team can walk you through the DVLA transfer process step by step, or handle it entirely on your behalf if you'd prefer, just select the assignment service at checkout.

Looking for something specific?

Use our search function below to find your perfect plate.

Select registration style

Prefix Search

Suffix Search

New Style Search

Pet Number Plate FAQs

Can I put a pet number plate on any vehicle?

You can assign most registrations to any vehicle, but the plate can't make the vehicle appear newer than it is. A current style plate from 2020 can't go on a 2015 car, for example. Dateless and Northern Irish formats avoid this entirely because they carry no age identifier, which is one reason they're popular across a range of vehicles.

How long does it take to transfer a number plate to my vehicle?

Most transfers are completed within a few weeks, depending on whether you handle the DVLA paperwork yourself or use our assignment service. Online transfers through the DVLA tend to be faster than postal applications. We'll keep you updated throughout either way.

Can I buy a pet number plate as a gift?

Yes, you can purchase the registration and hold it on a certificate of entitlement until the recipient is ready to assign it, there's no need to have a vehicle lined up at the time of purchase.

What happens to my vehicle's existing registration when I assign a new plate?

Your vehicle gets reassigned its previous registration, or if that's no longer available, the DVLA will issue a new age-appropriate one. The original plate doesn't disappear, it goes back into the system.

Can I keep a pet number plate if I sell or scrap my vehicle?

Yes. You can retain the registration by moving it onto a certificate before the vehicle changes hands or is taken off the road. There's an £80 DVLA fee to do this, and the certificate is valid for 10 years with the option to renew. It's worth doing in advance rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Do private plates affect my car insurance?

A private plate won't change your insurance premium, but you do need to let your insurer know when the registration on your vehicle changes. It's a quick update, most insurers handle it over the phone or online, and it keeps your policy aligned with the plate that's actually on the car.